Related Articles

Dallas and Houston, Texas, are about 250 miles apart via Interstate 45. The drive takes a little more than three hours without stopping, but many on the road find their journey lengthening as interesting little towns, roadside curiosities and historic sites near the route beckon them to stop for a photo-op or to learn a little more about east Texas.

Texas Historical Attractions

Old Fort Parker is a 1936 recreation of an early frontier fort built to protect a band of settlers from Native Americans. The original fort was less than successful. In 1836, an Indian raid resulted in the death or capture of many of the settlers, and a young girl who was captured went on to bear the last warrior chief of the Comanche. Visitors can climb the battlements, watch reenactments or go on trail rides. Nearby, Fort Parker State Park has hiking trails, swimming and fishing.

The Texas State Railroad takes four hours to chug 25 miles through the east Texas Piney Woods, crossing 24 bridges and passing historic railroad relics like an old turntable. Passengers can choose from first- or coach-class seating in closed or open-air cars.

From 1889 through 1946, Civil War veterans and their families staged reunions at the Confederate Reunion Grounds State Historic Site, camping under the trees, listening to speeches and concerts, and raising money for survivors of the war. An 1893 dance pavilion is the centerpiece of the site which also preserves relics from other eras such as structures from the Mexia oil boom.

Towns Between Dallas and Houston

Corsicana: The mission of the Pearce Museum at Navarro College is to preserve the history of the Civil War and to celebrate the American West. A letter from Colonel Joshua Chamberlain that featured heavily in Ken Burns’ documentary series on the Civil War is on display. The museum’s permanent collection contains historic and contemporary art relating to the West.

Schulman’s MBG offers “all-in-one family fun” with a movie theater where you can have meals delivered to your seat, an arcade and a bowling alley.

Centerville: Blues player Lightnin’ Hopkins, who opened for acts like the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane late in his career, was born in Centerville in 1902. As a young man, he learned the blues from Blind Lemon Jefferson, another blues great. Hopkins is buried in Crockett, 33 miles east, where a statue on Camp Street pays tribute to his fame.

Madisonville: If nature calls, or if you’re running out of gas, head to the Madisonville Buc-ee’s location. Named by Bon Appetit magazine as the “best rest stop in America” in 2016, the chain is noted for its spotless restrooms, friendly staff and plentitude of gas pumps, but it’s perhaps most famous for the variety of fresh food available.

Madisonville celebrates its designation as Mushroom Capital of Texas with an annual late fall festival featuring cooking contests, a car show, music and beer tastings.

East Texas Oddities

Aficionados of the larger-than-life structures that dot the American countryside should stop in Italy, Texas, to take a snapshot of the world’s largest caterpillar. Built from a series of Quonset huts painted different colors, the caterpillar has a comical face and antenna at one end. In Corsicana, an enormous fish hangs hooked from a long pole held aloft by a crane.

Fans of the 1960s television show "The Munsters" should detour to Waxahachie where perhaps the most ardent fans of the sitcom have recreated the interior and exterior of the spooky family’s home by watching footage from the show. The house, occupied by the builders, is open once a year for tours.

Travelers with an interest in the grim history of Texas prisons can tour the Texas Prison Museum in Huntsville. Displayed are such curiosities as a gun retrieved from the car Bonnie and Clyde were driving at the time of their ambush in Louisiana, weapons made by prisoners planning to escape and the electric chair affectionately called Old Sparky.

Resources

About the Author

Meg Jernigan has been writing for more than 30 years. She specializes in travel, cooking and interior decorating. Her offline credits include copy editing full-length books and creating marketing copy for nonprofit organizations. Jernigan attended George Washington University, majoring in speech and drama.

Leaf Group is a USA TODAY content partner providing general travel information. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.

Took this awesome pic of i-10 and i-45 right at the northern edge of downtown Houston.

Houston, Texas In 1873. Bird'S Eye View Of The City Of Houston, Texas 1873, 1873. Lithograph (Hand-Colored), 23.2 X 30.1 In. Published By J. J. Stoner, Madison, Wis. Center For American History, The University Of Texas At Austin.